Top 5 Halloween Hazards and How to Avoid Them

Halloween is the most fun day of the year for many. It is a time for fantasy, parties and excitement, but it is also important to be aware of potential dangers.

If you experience an illness or minor injury on Halloween, visit your nearest BJC Medical Group Convenient Care clinic for in-person treatment or you can schedule a virtual visit with a BJC provider.

Trips and falls are the most common Halloween injury. To prevent tripping, make sure costumes fit properly and allow you and your young trick-or-treaters to walk and move freely.

Be careful when walking on uneven surfaces, such as sidewalks, stairs and driveways. When carrying lots of candy, hold it so you can still see and stay balanced. Follow these additional Halloween safety tips:

• Choose well-fitting costumes that won't constrict movement.

• Keep costume wigs out of your field of vision, and make sure mask eye holes allow for unrestricted vision. Consider face paint instead of a bulky mask.

• Wear shoes with good traction, such as sneakers or boots.

• Avoid walking on uneven surfaces, such as wet leaves or gravel.

• Be aware of your surroundings and watch your step.

• Bring a flashlight for trick or treating as sidewalks may not be well lit.

Remember to respect your city or neighborhood trick-or-treating hours. Drivers will naturally be less vigilant after the curfew.

Pumpkin carving can be a fun activity, but it is important to exercise caution.

• Use a sharp knife and cut away from your body when carving pumpkins.

• Always be aware of who is next to you while you carefully carve away from your body.

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from carving knives' sharp edges.

• Only allow older children to handle pumpkin carving knives and supervise all children closely when they are carving. Do not let anyone younger than age 12 handle knives.

Candles, jack-o'-lanterns and other flammable objects can pose a fire hazard. Take care to place them in safe areas and be vigilant when they are in use.

• Never leave candles unattended and do not let children light or handle them.

• Put candles in a safe, low-traffic location where they cannot be knocked over.

• Keep jack-o'-lanterns away from anything that could catch fire, such as curtains or furniture.

It is important to consume Halloween candy only after ensuring the candy is safe. If you or your kids have food allergies, this includes reading the ingredient information or doing some food allergy research to ensure food safety.

• Inspect all candy before eating it or distributing it.

• Discard any candy that is damaged, unwrapped or appears to have been tampered with.

• Be especially careful of any Halloween treat that looks homemade or has unusual packaging.

• Do not eat any candy with ingredients that could cause allergic reactions.

If you find any suspicious candy, do not eat it. Instead, contact your local police department, health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Halloween is a busy night for trick-or-treating, so it is important to follow some common-sense rules when you take to the streets:

• Incorporate reflective tape into Halloween costumes to make you more visible to motorists.

• Walk, don't run, when crossing the street.

• Always cross the street at crosswalks.

• Look both ways before crossing the street.

• Enter and exit driveways and alleys cautiously; look both ways, just as you would when crossing streets.

• Slow down and be extra careful when driving in residential areas.

• Take your children trick-or-treating in a group or with an adult.

• Stay in well-lit areas.

• Avoid walking in the street.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

• Don't eat any candy that you are not sure about.

• If you see something suspicious, report it to the police.

The most important advice of all? Get medical treatment if you experience Halloween injuries or get sick on Halloween.

• BJC Medical Group has eight Convenient Care locations that will be open on Halloween where you can walk in or schedule an appointment online. Find a Convenient Care Clinic Near You

• Schedule a virtual visit with a BJC provider. BJC Virtual Care

By following these Halloween safety tips, you can help make Halloween a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone.